Definition of loyaltynext

Synonym Chooser

How is the word loyalty distinct from other similar nouns?

Some common synonyms of loyalty are allegiance, devotion, fealty, fidelity, and piety. While all these words mean "faithfulness to something to which one is bound by pledge or duty," loyalty implies a faithfulness that is steadfast in the face of any temptation to renounce, desert, or betray.

valued the loyalty of his friends

When is allegiance a more appropriate choice than loyalty?

The meanings of allegiance and loyalty largely overlap; however, allegiance suggests an adherence like that of citizens to their country.

pledging allegiance

When would devotion be a good substitute for loyalty?

The words devotion and loyalty are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, devotion stresses zeal and service amounting to self-dedication.

a painter's devotion to her art

When might fealty be a better fit than loyalty?

In some situations, the words fealty and loyalty are roughly equivalent. However, fealty implies a fidelity acknowledged by the individual and as compelling as a sworn vow.

fealty to the truth

In what contexts can fidelity take the place of loyalty?

The synonyms fidelity and loyalty are sometimes interchangeable, but fidelity implies strict and continuing faithfulness to an obligation, trust, or duty.

marital fidelity

When can piety be used instead of loyalty?

The words piety and loyalty can be used in similar contexts, but piety stresses fidelity to obligations regarded as natural and fundamental.

filial piety

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of loyalty For Liberty, that means stock holding, replenishment, product efficacy, customer loyalty and whether momentum extends beyond a single hero product. — Rhea Cartwright, Vogue, 2 Oct. 2026 Someone still has to make arrests and run the prisons, and autocrats can buy loyalty by offering supporters state jobs. — Seva Gunitsky, Foreign Affairs, 1 Oct. 2026 The mother shared a meme that references a Bible verse from the story of Job, whose loyalty God tested by allowing Satan to destroy all the blessings in his life, including his 10 children. — Audrey Dutton, ProPublica, 1 Oct. 2026 Earn more rewards One of the most common ways to reset your loyalty rewards’ expiration date is to earn more of them. — Jason Stauffer, CNBC, 1 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for loyalty
Recent Examples of Synonyms for loyalty
Noun
  • Like many of Knight’s fiction projects — notably Peaky Blinders — the film is a working-class underdog story with strong undertones of allegiance and duty.
    — Damon Wise, Deadline, 8 Oct. 2026
  • Though the conventional story told about the YBAs is one of friendship and community, what stands out now is their allegiance to neoliberal individualism.
    — Eliza Goodpasture, ARTnews.com, 5 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • The Sun in your sign opposes Saturn in your 7th House, putting relationships, commitments, and compromise under a more serious lens.
    — Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 4 Oct. 2026
  • Wilkerson is the 20th commitment for the Horned Frogs’ 2027 recruiting class which currently ranks 51st nationally and seventh in the Big 12.
    — Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • The two families’ lives intersected once again in their dedication to fight for independence for the Baltic states in the early 1960s.
    — Livi Stanford, Hartford Courant, 4 Oct. 2026
  • Cosumnes Community Services District Board President Peter Sakaris said the dedication to growing the pumpkins is inspiring, but the community’s support is equally remarkable.
    — Nicole Buss, Sacbee.com, 4 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • As Nicole refuses the role she’s been taught to play, her mother is forced to confront the cost of building a life around a man who demands devotion but can’t offer safety.
    — Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 2 Oct. 2026
  • This is the main thrust of Your Mother Your Mother Your Mother — when the rightful aim of that threefold devotion is gone, what fills the void?
    — CT Jones, Rolling Stone, 30 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • The show uses large screens and high-fidelity audio to explore the artist’s life and career.
    — Jem Aswad, Variety, 5 Oct. 2026
  • Instead of color, the video switches to black-and-white to keep visuals sharp without sacrificing fidelity.
    — George Yang, PC Magazine, 3 Oct. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Loyalty.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/loyalty. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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